March 1571

March 29.Tauris.

17. Thomas Bannester to Sec. Cecil. Is forced to write briefly, but refers Cecil to a discourse directed to the Company (wanting) which he thinks should also be communicated to my Lord of Leicester. Is of opinion that it be likewise shown to Sir Wm. Garrard, Sir Thos. Offley, Rowland Hawarde, Wm. Allen, Lionell Duckett, aldermen, and Mr. Quarles, Mr. Walkeden, Mr. Gammage, and Mathew Fyeld, with commands to keep it secret, and not show it to the whole Company. Has written to Mr. Garrard of his troubles and good success with the Prince, “having established that I came for.” Is forced to tarry another year, but, although at great charges, hopes it will turn to their [the Company's] great gain. Sends copy of the new privilege obtained [see previous article], and an Act of Court for the agreement between the Company and themselves (wanting) which, by the malice of some, after they had taken leave of the Queen, altered their yearly pension to three years, and forced them to tarry five years and a half ere they can come home. Humbly desires the Company may be required to pay their yearly allowance “for there was never men bought money more dear and dangerous than we have done and shall do ere we come home.” In a postcript of 5th April, following, Bannester adds that he is ready to depart with 16 men and 200 camels laden with the Company's goods, and is forced to leave [Geofrye] Duckett behind at Tauris. He understands that Edwards is fallen into the company of one who the year before their coming brought Lawrence Chapman into great trouble by his untrue practice; knows not what Edwards' malice may do. Sends copy of letter to the agent at Moscow. Intends sending Edwards away to avoid his false practices. Unless the Queen take some order to punish falsehood, it will be in vain longer to occupy the trade of Russland or this country, "for all the miseries, troubles, and long detraction of this journey are chiefly fallen out through the malice and practices of the Company's own servants." Incloses copies of letter to Rich. Procter and of Rich. Pyngles' commission, with invoice of goods sent last year by Procter (wanting). [One page and three quarters. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 2. The fifth voyage into Persia, begun in 1568 and continued to 1574, was by Bannester and Geofrye Duckett, agents for the Muscovy Company, and is printed in Hakluyt, I., pp. 443–450. Bannester died on 29th July 1571.]